Cigarette lighter or the like



April 1, 1947. FLORMAN 2,418,295

CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR THE LIKE Filed March 17, 1944 Patented Apr. 1, 1947UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR THE LIKE Irving:Florman, New York, N. Y.

Application March ,17, 1944, Serial No. 526,912

This invention relates to lighters and more particularly to pocketlighters of the pyrophoric igniter, liquid fuel type.

The general object of the invention is the provision of a novel andimproved lighter of this .class which is of simple inexpensiveconstruction, requiring a minimum quantity of metal, but neverthelesscapable of performing its required function regularly and efficiently.

In its preferred embodiment, theinvention contemplates the provision ofa lighter comprising a substantially one-piece body frame 'of a crosssection approximating the shape of a figure it, one tubular partdefining the fuel tank or container and the other comprising the flinttube surmounted bybearings for the flint wheel. Novel clamping andclosure devices are employed to retain the frame in proper shape and toseal off thefuel container while providing a support and passageway forthe protruding end of the wick of the lighter.

Another feature of the invention is the ,provision of a pivoted cap orsnufferfor extinguishing the flame, this snuffer being pivotedconcentrically with the flint wheel and having novel frictional meansfor retaining it in open and closed positions and anovel and improvedthumb contacting portion disposed adjacent the flint wheel whereby thewheel .and the snufier-closure may be easily and simultaneouslyactuated.

Other objects and features of novelty "will be apparent from thefollowing specification when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by wayof example.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view inside elevation of a lighter embodying theprinciples of the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the lighter;

Figure 3 is a view in elevation taken substantially at right angles toFigure 1, and with a portion of the vflint tube shown in section;

Figure A is a top plan view of the lighter;

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal cross section taken substantially onlines l5-5 of Figure 2;;

Figure Bis a similar View taken on line 6-5 of Figure 2; 1

Figure "7 is a view in perspective of a clamping clip to be applied tothe flint tube;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pivoted closure cap snufiermember; and

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the snu'fier cap shown in Figurelfi.

The lighter, designated generally by the refer- :5 Claims. (Cl. 167-71)ence numeral It), is character'izedby a one-piece frame or bodystructure which is denote-d by the numeral l l and comprises a doublebarrelled construction of the general cross sectional configuration of afigure eight. This is most clearly shown in Figure 6 of the drawings.The frame ll may conveniently be made from a single approximatelyrectangular sheet of metal bent to form the larger tubular portion [2and the smaller tubular part l3, these portions being connected by thetwo-ply web construction [4. The tubular element 52 forms the side Wallsof the fuel tank or container and the part I3 provides the tubular wellfor the flint and spring projector.

As most clearly shown in Figures 1,13, and 5 of the drawings, the flinttube 13 is provided with upwardly extending ears l'5 which are spacedapart in parallel relationship and connected to the main portion of thetubular part l3 by means of the bent neck portions it. The ears l5 formbearing supports for the flint Wheel and the snuflfer member whichwillpresently be described.

The larger tubular portion I2 of the body frame it, is provided withan'upward extension 18 which is not completely cylindrical but is cutaway to provide a rather wide gap as at l 9 (Figures 4 and 5) toaccommodate the movement of the snuffer cap. In forming the frame H,.the metal is stamped as at 2E! between the portions 12 and I8 toprovide an internal groove into which is fitted a circular disc orplatform 22 forming the upper wall of the fuel chamber. The disc 22 isprovided with a central opening 23 through which the upper end of thewick 24 projects. The disc may also be soldered in place, if desired.The chamber is filled with cotton batting or other absorbent material 25as in the usual lighter of the liquid fuel type.

The tubular portion i2 is also creased near its lower end but in thiscase the pressure is .in-

wardly directed to form a bulge or rib 21 on the inner wall of thecontainer. This crease is helical in shape althoughit comprises but asingle turn,

and this feature serves to provide engaging means for the threads 23 onthe cap or plug 29 which forms the bottom closure of the fuel tank.

The container portion I2 is also provided in ,ternally with .a linersheetBD which is arcuate in cross section being of a peripheral extent.of somewhat more than half .of the circumference of the portion 22. Thecentral portion of this liner plate covers the seam 3:? Where the webs Moverlap.

bending the sheet metal blank from which the body frame l [is formed,the ends of the sheet are brought together in abutting relationshipalong the vertical element 33 of the cylindrical portion I3, and in lieuof soldering, in the illustrated embodiment of the'device the parts ofthe frame are held together at this point by means of the substantiallycircular or tubular clip 35. This clip is most clearly shown in Figure 7of the drawings and is provided with a slot 36 which is adapted toreceive the web portion I4 when the clip is slid on to the tubularmember I3.

Within the upper end of the flint tube portion I3, there may be inserteda short cylindrical collar or bushing 38 of an internal diametersubstantially equal to the external diameter of the flint 40, Thisinsert or bushing 38 is gripped firmly in lace when the frame isassembled and the clip 35 applied. The lower end of the flint tube I3 isinternally threaded to receive the threaded and kerfed plug 42. Betweenthe plug 42 and the flint 40 there is disposed a helical spring 44 whichmay contain a headed pin 45 adapted to press against the lower end ofthe flint and urge it upwardly toward the flint wheel.

The flint wheel is indicated at 4'! and is adapted to rotate upon anaxle pin 48 which passes through the wheel and also through alignedopenings in the parallel ears I5. The wheel 41 is peripherally serratedand made of suitable material to strike sparks from the flint 48 whenthe wheel is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFigures 1 and 2. It will be readily understood that the sparks passthrough the openlng I 9 in the windshield portion I8 and ignite the wick24. Draft openings 49 also may be formed in the windshield I8 ifdesired.

A snuffer cap or closure indicated generally at 50 in the drawings ismade of sheet metal and comprises a hollow boxlike body portion I. Fromthe side walls of the portion 5! there are projected a pair of spacedparallel ears 52 which are perforated as at 53 to be pivotally mountedupon the axle pin 48 between the side faces of the flint wheel 41 andthe inner walls of the supporting or bearing ears I5. In order toprovide suflicient friction between the ears 52 of the snuffer-closuremember and the flint wheel and bearing ears, the first named ears 52 areradially slit as at 54 and the metal at at least one of the edges of theslits 54 flared laterally as indicated at-55 in Figures 8 and 9 of thedrawings.

The upper portion of the front wall of the sheet metal snuffer member 50is curved rearwardly in somewhat cylindrical fashion to conform to thecurved upper portions of the side walls, all as clearly shown at 5'6 inFigure 8 of the drawings. Bottom flanges 51 and 58 are bent from thefront and side walls respectively of the member 50. These flanges serveto grip the cylindrical snuffer element 60 and retain it securely withinthe closure member 58. The snuifer 65 is provided with a groove 6|within which the edges of the flanges .51 and 58 are received.

The upper edges of the ears 52 of the closure member 50 are providedwith the serrations 63, these serrations taking the form of rearwardlycurved or inclined projections of graduated height with which the thumbis adapted to contact and press when the lighter is actuated.

The operation of the device will be clearly understood from aninspection of the drawings, more particularly Figures 1 and 2 thereof.The entire device I0 is grasped within the hand, the thumb resting uponthe serrations 53 and not only contacting these portions of thesnuifer-closure 50 but also, bearing upon the serrations of the flintwheel 41. As the thumb is suddenly pressed rearwardly and downwardly,the closure carrying the snuffer cap 60 flies open, rotating in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in these figures of the drawings.Simultaneously with the opening of the snuifer-ciosure, the flint wheelis rotated and sparks are directed upon the wick 24 which ignites andburns until the purpose of the lighter has been accomplished, Then bypressure'upon the top wall of the snuffer-closure member 50, the closuremay be rotated in a clockwise direction until the snuffer element againsurrounds the protruding end of the wick 24 and comes into contact withthe head or platform 22 of the fuel container, whereupon the flame isextinguished.

It will be understood that various changes and alterations may be madein the embodiment illustrated and described herein without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined by the subj oined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is: I

1. A lighter for cigarettes or the like which comprises a unitaryhousing member formed from a substantially rectangular blank of sheetmaterial bent to provide two spaced tubular portions, and flattenedcentrally to provide two adjacent parallel webs for connecting thetubular portions and rigidifying the construction, the end edges of theblank abutting, a clamping member applied to the last mentioned tubularportion to hold the housing together and maintain, said edges inabutting relationship, one of said tubular portions enclosing the flintand flint projecting v mechanism and the other containing the fuel'andwick, a threaded closure cap at one end of the latter portion, apartition disc clamped in position at a point spaced from the other endand having a wick opening therethrough, and a lining sheet within thefuel container portion and covering the joint therein formed where thewalls thereof merge with said Webs.

2. A lighter for cigarettes or the like which comprises a unitaryhousing member formed from a substantially rectangular blank of sheetmaterial bent to provide two spaced tubular portions, and flattenedcentrally to provide two adjacent parallel webs for connecting thetubular portions and rigidfying the construction, one of said tubularportions enclosing the flint and flint projecting mechanism and theother containing the fuel and wick, transverse partitions in the fuelcontaining portion providing upper and lower end closures for a fuelreservoir, the inner walls of the fuel containing portion being scoredtoproand rigidifying the construction, the endedges of the blankabutting, one of said tubular portions enclosing the flint and flintprojecting mechanism and the other containing the fuel and wick, athreaded closure cap at one end of the latter portion, a removablepartition disc clampedin position near the other end and having a wickopening therethrough, and removable clamping means applied to thehousing member to maintain said edges in abutting relationship, to holdthe housing together, and to clamp the partition disc.

in place.

4. A lighter for cigarettes and the like which comprises a bodycontaining a fuel reservoir through one end of which projects a wick, aflint spaced from said wick, a pair of bearing ears projecting outwardlyfrom said body adjacent said flint, a pin passing through said ears, aflint wheel on said pin and rotatably mounted with respect to said ears,a snuffer member adapted to cover and uncover the wick end, said snuffermember provided with a pair of spaced parallel arms, the ends of whichare carried by said pin and rotatably mounted with respect to said ears,

the arm being received between the respective ears and adjacent sidefaces of the flint wheel, the ends of at least one of said arms beingradially slit adjacent the pivotal center and. the material adjacent theslit being bent out of the plane of said arm, said ears, arms and flintwheel being so closely spaced that pressure applied to said bent outmaterial causes the same to resiliently bear against the inner face ofsaid ears, whereby the snuffer member will be retained in any positionto which it is moved.

5. A lighter for cigarettes or the like which comprises a bodycontaining a fuel reservoir through one end of which projects a wick, aflint spaced from said wick and a flint wheel rotatably mounted abovesaid flint to throw spark upon said wick when rotated, a sheet metalhood-like closure member pivotally mounted adjacent the flint wheel andadapted to be swung to and from a position above the wick respectivelyto snufi the flame and free the wick for ignition, said closure memberhaving inwardly bent flanges at the lower edges of its side walls, whichwhen so bent define an approximately circular opening, a dome-likesnufier element disposed in said opening and having an externalperipheral. groove therein to receive said inwardly directed. flanges toretain said snufier element, said snuffer element adapted to enclosesaid wick end when the closure member is in snufling position.

IRVING FLOR-MAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,272,059 De Margitta Feb. 3,1942 1,746,949 Kollstede Feb. 11, 1930 2,105,072 Dubsky Jan. 11, 1938FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 290,066 Ger. Feb. 4, 1916 301,449Brit Mar; 7, 1929 124,757 Austrian Oct. 10, 1931 72,036 Austrian Junev26, 1916 515,381 French Nov. 25, 1920

